Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 2, 1 February 1991 — Island Dance Festival features world cultures [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Island Dance Festival features world cultures

The dances of Hawai'i, Asia and Europe are featured in programs of the fifth annual Island Dance Festival this month. Kumu hula Leimomi Ho and her award winning Kealiika'apunihounua Ke'ena A'o Hula will perform "Hawai'i: A Royal Heritage" Friday Feb. 1

and Saturday Feb. 2. On the first night, the audienee will be taken on a journey to Hawaii's past. Through the symbolization of a shark, the dancers will show the migration of the Polynesians to Hawai'i. On the second night, the halau will pay tribute to Kamehameha the Great, Liholiho, Queen Emma, Pnnee Albert Edward, King David Kalakaua, Queen Kapiolani, Queen Liliuokalani, Princess Victoria Ka'iulani and Prince Kuhio Kalaniana'ole.

Halla Pai Huhm, an acclaimed Korean dancer, the Halla Pai Huhm Korean Dance Studio and the Omega Dancers will feature folk dances of Korea, Hungary and Bulgaria Saturday Feb. 9. The concert will bring togethercultures geographically separated by thousands of miles. The program will include a performance by Huhm herself; Korean drum dances performed by her dancers; a Bulgarian wedding dance; "Kopaniea," a line dance with intricate footwork; and eouple dances from Transylvania, whieh ean be compared to the American swing.

The award-winning Halau Hula Olana and Miss Aloha Hula 1990 Natalie Ai will perform hula kahiko and hula auana under the guidance of kumu hula Olana and Howard Ai FridayFeb. 15 at 8 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. Halau Hula Olana is known for its keikis who have received top honors at the Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition. The keikis have also been featured on the Hawaii Moving Company and Disneyland Telethon. The halau's young adult group has eompleted at the Merrie Monarch Festival with honors. And last year Olana and Howard Ai's daughter Natalie received the title of "Miss Aloha Hula."

All shows start at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted, at Mamiya Theatre on the St. Louis/Chaminade campus. Tickets are available at the House of Music, Ala Moana Shopping Center, and at the door. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens, $3 for children 12 years or younger. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Wheelchair access. For more information, eall 537-2152.